Tag Archives: beauty

These days it’s completely normal to follow up advice some stranger on the internet gives you. For some reason, we automatically think that whatever sounds right, must be right. There are a million skin care DIY’s, tips and tricks out there, telling you how to take care of your skin. But are they really all safe?

For example, you’re desperately looking for ways to lighten your skin tone and you find this professional looking blog. It says that you should apply pure lemon juice on your face, every morning and night. The writer claims that you’ll see a difference within 4 weeks of consistent applying. There are so many people who won’t doubt the advice and start putting lemon juice directly to their face that same night, without realizing how much they’re damaging their face.

In this post I’ll go through some products you should never put on your face, no matter who says it. You’ll have to deal with your precious skin for your entire life so better take good care of it, right?

1. Toothpaste

To be honest, applying toothpaste on your face isn’t that harmful at all. Many kinds of toothpaste contain antibacterial ingredients, which is why lots of people use it as an acne-remedy. The thing is, when we feel it burning, we think it’s working. Don’t get me wrong, toothpaste works great against acne but don’t get too excited and apply it 5 times a day. Keep it on once every other day, because it will irritate and dry out your skin which will increase your acne or cause scars.

2. Lemon juice

Lemon juice is known as a skin brightener for ages, because of the citric acid. There are a lot of bloggers out there telling you to mix lemon juice with honey or baking soda and use it as a face mask, and you would happily do it. But the thing you don’t know is that lemon juice is highly acidic which can permanently damage your skin (e.g. changing your skin’s natural pH-balance). If you still want to use lemon juice on your face, make sure you mix it with water ( 50% water and 50% lemon juice).

3. Apple cider vinegar (ACV)

Apple cider vinegar is believed to dry out acne without leaving any scars, which is true because ACV contains acetic acid. But just like lemon juice, using pure ACV will burn and irritate your skin. There’s no harm in using it, as long as you mix it with water (50% water and 50% apple cider vinegar).

Tip: Make sure your apple cider vinegar isn’t too old. As it grows old, the water leaves the vinegar which makes it stronger and more harmful to your face.

4. Baking Soda

You’ll find many beauty bloggers and experts talking about baking soda scrubs and how great it works for your skin. Baking soda is indeed an effective skin brightener but you don’t wanna use it directly on your face. It contains a high alkaline level which will mess with your face’s natural pH balance. Dermatologists recommend using baking soda with your regular face cleanser or coconut oil, to create your own scrub. (Lots of scrubbing and exfoliating is not supported by dermatologists, scrubbing once a week is all your face need.)

5. Cleansing brush

Electric cleansing brushes (e.g. Clarisonic) are really popular these days. They thoroughly cleanse and scrub your face at the same time, but everyday usage of the cleansing brush is discouraged by dermatologists. Everyday usage can cause irritation and roughly open pores which will result in acne flares and other skin problems. Try using your the cleansing brush every 2 or 3 days to avoid damaging your skin.

6. Mayonnaise

Mayonnaise works great for hair but don’t consider putting it on your face. Just like lemon juice and vinegar, mayonnaise is highly acidic. It will result in clogging your pores, causing skin irritations. If you still want to use mayonnaise in your beauty routine, make sure to use it on your dry hair or scalp. Just keep it away from your cheeks.

7. Hot water

Your skin needs moisturizing, which is created by the top layer of your face. Many people like to use hot water on their skin because it eliminates bacterias but it will also strip away the protective layer and the natural oils on your face. Always remember to wash your face with lukewarm (or even cold) water.

I hope this post made you more aware that you shouldn’t put everything on your face, not even when your favorite blogger says so. I think the most important tip here is: Whenyou’re about to use a highly acidic product like vinegar or lemon juice, always mix it with water.

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Over the past few years, I’ve started to realize how important it is to take good care of your skin. If you’re even a little concerned about your physical appearance, you’ll know that a healthy skin appears full, vibrant and glowing. Poor skincare habits, however, can lead to acne, dry patches and early signs of aging (wrinkles and fine lines).

In this post, I’ll be sharing my 8 favorite skincare products with you guys! Some of these products aren’t available in all countries but there are plenty of other alternatives/ brands out there.

1. Clinique Take The Day Off makeup-remover

The first thing I do after a long day, is taking off my eye- and lip makeup. I’m using the Clinique Take The Day Off makeup-remover which removes any (waterproof) makeup in one swipe (with a cotton pad/ball).

The Take The Day Off makeup-remover is one of Clinique’s best-selling products at the moment, but I do think there are lot more alternative make-up removers available in drugstores, which will work just as effective.

2. Fresh Face Carbon cleanser

I’ve only been using this carbon cleanser for only a few weeks but I’m loving it already. I bought this cleanser during my trip to Zaragoza but it appears that Fresh Face is a Spanish brand and it’s not available outside Spain. But if you’re planning on visiting Spain anytime soon, I definitely recommend visiting Primor. This is the place to be for the best and cheapest high-end duplicates, Japanese face masks and many more must-haves.

3. Sentiments Organic rosewater

Rosewater is a holy-grail when it comes to skincare. It works like a miracle and I’d recommend it to anyone. Just make sure that the rosewater you’re using is organic/100% natural and not mixed. I’m using it as a toner but you could also use it as a facial cleanser or face mist, or you could add a few drops of rosewater to your other skincare products.

Rosewater has anti-inflammatory ingredients which do wonders for an acne-prone and irritated skin. The ingredients are hydrating and soothing, which is exactly what your face needs! I bought this bottle in Suriname for SRD 10 (€1), but it’s available at any drugstore and maybe even at your local grocery store (don’t forget to check the ingredients though).

4. Nivea Cellular Radiance night serum

I’ve been using this night serum for nearly a year now and it works amazing. I apply this serum every morning and evening because it makes my face feel smooth and significantly reduces spots. The serum also reduces wrinkles and evens out my skin tone.

5. Clinique Custom Repair moisturizer

I bought the travel-sized version (15ml) of this moisturizer about two months ago and I loved it, so I had to buy the original version. I can see how this moisturizer improved my skin condition by focusing on my flaws and pores. This moisturizer is de-aging and has SPF 15.

6. Bio-oil

This is the must-have oil if you have any stretch marks or (acne) scars you want to get rid of. Apply the oil on the affected areas (apply with a q-tip, if possible), do this every morning and evening and you’ll see the appearance fade within 2 to 3 months. Just remember that this oil will not make your scars entirely disappear. It takes time but really, what’s the harm?

Size: 60ml

Price: €9,50

7. Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Skin Protectant Cream

I got the Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Skin Protectant for €20 in Spain. Beauty bloggers and influencers have been recommending this “legendary formula” cream for years but I never thought it’d be worth trying. Now I’ve tried it for a month and I’m loving what it does to my skin. Some people dislike the medical smell but to be honest, it’s not that disturbing to me. The structure of the cream is similar petroleum jelly (which it is for 50%), just a little less sticky and greasy. One of the reasons I love this cream is its multiple uses (see description below). Can you believe this cream has actually won several awards?

8. Tony Moly Bubble Mask

Last but not least, the Tony Moly bubble mask which I bought at Sephora. I bought this mask for €15 and although it comes in an incredibly cute package, I think it’s a little overpriced.

Bubble masks are originally from Korea and deep cleanse your face. The mask removes excess oil and opens clogged pores. Bubble masks are also great for dealing with blackheads and besides, they make you look like you have a huge cloud on your face.

And that’s it, those were my favorite skincare products, I hope you liked this post! A review of the Elizabeth Arden’s 8 Hour Skin Protectant and the Clinique Custom Repair moisturizer will be published soon! What’s your favorite skincare product?

Today I’ll be reviewing the Estée Lauder Double Wear (Stay-In-Place) foundation. I bought this foundation a year ago during my holidays in the USA, I can’t exactly recall in which city I bought the foundation but I do remember buying it at Sephora. The original Estée Lauder Double Wear foundation comes in a heavy, frosted glass bottle without a pump or anything, so I used the pump of an old Smashbox foundation and placed it on my new foundation. However, Estée Lauder does sell its own pumps for €4.

Now I would usually not impulse-buy a €44 high-end foundation which I don’t even need, but ya know, I did it anyways and I’m happy I did. I’ve been in love with this foundation ever since I’ve worn it for the first time. I have some dark spots on my face which I usually cover up with concealer but with the Double Wear foundation, I don’t even need to cover up my spots. This foundation has a great full coverage and another plus: it really does stay on all day (or longer).

The Estée Lauder Double Wear foundation is available in 38 (!) shades, so make sure you get the shade that really matches your skin.The shade I own is 4W1 (Honey Bronze). The foundation is suitable for any skin type and any kind of weather.

I think paying €44 for a foundation like this, is a great investment. I bought this foundation a year ago and there’s still more than half left. Obviously, I don’t wear this foundation to school every single day but you don’t even need a lot of it when you’re applying it to your face. I would definitely recommend this foundation!

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Hi guys, just wanted to let you all know I just updated my review on the Clinique cleansing brush because I ended up having some bad experiences with the brush, it started to malfunction and stopped charging etc.

I explained and described everything in the post and I’m writing about the new brush I bought, soo if you’re interested..

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It’s been a while since my last post because I was busy with exams but I can finally say I’m on summer break (:

This collection is kinda beach-themed since I’m going to Miami in less than two months! To be honest, these retro kind of sunglasses aren’t really my thing so I’d rather stick with my Ray Ban clubround glasses…But I added this one for the sake of the outfit.

By the way, is it just me or does anyone else feel uncomfy wearing fragrances from brands like Hugo Boss, Armani or Lacoste? Because they’re actually focused on fragrances for men and it feels so wrong, even though it’s for her.

As you guys might have noticed, my previous post was all about Smashbox. What exactly is Smashbox and why do I seem so obsessed with it?

I have been using Sephora’s foundations and Dior’s BB-creams for a long time but since I can’t find any of these similar products in the Netherlands anymore, I figured it’s time to switch to another brand and try. out something new. I had in mind to buy M.A.C Cosmetics because a lot of celebs use these and it looks absolutely gorgeouson them. So last Friday I went to this shop where, I thought, they sell M.A.C products. My bad, they didn’t. I was kinda disappointed because I really needed a new foundation so the saleslady told me they did sell a similar brand called ‘Smashbox’.

Of course I had heard of this brand before but I didn’t know that these products were just as good; which should be quite neccessary because Smashbox foundations are even more expensive than M.A.C’s. The woman tried some products out on me (foundation, concealer and a setting powder) and the result was absolutely wonderful. I couldn’t even believe that there was an actual foundation out there that really matched my skintone.

The foundation cost 37,- and the concealer cost 23,-. I didn’t really ask about the setting powder because I haven’t finished my own yet (MUA). I was gonna buy the foundation for sure but mom told me to buy the concealer as well because it looked really good. So it would be 60,- in total but I had a gift card for 20,- which my friends gave me for my birthday so I also spent that.

More about Smashbox

What’s this hype about Smashbox? Well, it’s similar to M.A.C cosmetics, made by the Factor-brothers (Max Factor) and currently a part of Estée Lauder cosmetics. Smashbox had some starting problems because their former PR was drugged and raped by someone who happened to be a friend of the Factors. The brand struggled a lot to make its comeback and finally got famous for its primers.

Smashbox cosmetics are especially made for photoshoots because they last longer and are oil-free and give a flawless skin-effect.

Sooo..Red, matte dark and overdone it is this fall. Ready for the dark, red lips and overdone eyeliner? But let’s get a little twist in the game by wearing Miss Dior’s sweet fragrance. What do you think?